Israeli troops have pulled back from parts of Gaza after Israel approved Donald Trump's ceasefire and hostage release plan.

Israel and Hamas have signed a cease-fire agreement to free the remaining hostages in Gaza. Mediators hope that the deal will finally bring an end to two nightmarish years of war that have killed tens of thousands and laid waste to the Gaza Strip.

Palestinians were seen arriving in Gaza City after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect. The Israeli military said the truce deal came into effect at 12 p.m. local time. Israel posted a list of 250 Palestinian prisoners to be released from Israeli prisons in exchange for hostages, as part of the ceasefire deal.

Israel began to reposition troops Friday as the clock started on the first phase of an agreement for the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

The new Israel-Hamas deal contains provisions to increase aid to Gaza, and for the reopening of a border crossing from Egypt.

Tens of thousands of people who had gathered in Wadi Gaza in central Gaza started walking north after the Israeli military’s announcement at noon local time.

CAIRO (AP) — Bombardment stopped and Israeli troops pulled back in Gaza on Friday under a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. But will the agreement lead, as U.S. President Donald Trump proclaimed, to “a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace”?

The first phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has taken effect in Gaza under a breakthrough deal.